The Yearning is in Print!!!

My first paranormal with Samhain - my first paranormal ever - is now in print! Yay!

A Top Ten Bestseller - here's what the reviewers are saying:

“Like your favorite mixed drink, The Yearning is the perfect blend of unbridled sex and sweet tenderness.”

Sal – TwoLips Reviews

The paranormal elements of The Yearning are made believable by her creation of characters that are driven by conflict and emotion, making The Yearning a must read.

To read the full review, click here

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NOMINATED FOR BOOK OF THE WEEK

“Knowing that this is the first paranormal story Ms. Donahue has written, I wanted to read it to see if it was as good as her other books. It was.”

Myrtle – Whipped Cream Reviews

My friends are going to love this book and I hope to see more paranormal themes from Ms. Donahue as she did a wonderful job on this one.

To read the full review click here
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4.5 STARS – SENSUAL READS

“Ms. Donahue explores so many different sexual fantasies in this book that the reader will be left breathless by the last page.”

Candy – Sensual Reads

Tina Donahue spins a tale of uncontrollable lust.

To read the full review, click here
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“This book was a different kind of story than I am used to by this author. I am a big fan of Tina Donahue and decided to give this one a try. Right from the start I knew that I would enjoy this one as well.”

Gabrielle – Love Romances & More

Not only do the main characters make this a great read but also the secondary ones make more than an impression on the reader. The love that they all share makes this a wonderful read that should not be missed.

To read the full review, click here
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Here's the blurb:


To break this curse, they’ll have to turn the heat up. Way up.

Jasmine Dante prowls Key West’s nightlife, fighting a losing battle against a jealous rival’s curse that forces her to seek carnal pleasure, no matter the danger. Weakened from lack of sleep, driven by insatiable lust, she spots a man who stirs her desperate craving, and begins yet another dance of seduction.

Except the dark stranger who returns her direct stare is no ordinary lover. Inside his powerful body lies a raw sexuality that just might be enough to break her curse. There’s only one way to find out: imprison him in her bed and feed on his passion.

Former U.S. Marshal Mike Stearn is many things, but he’s no woman’s sex slave. The deadly telekinetic power he ruthlessly suppresses comes alive again at Jasmine’s touch. Beneath her bold, potent sensuality he senses vulnerability and desperation. He may be in handcuffs, but she’s the one who’s enslaved.

As Mike resurrects his power to free himself so he can find the curse’s source and defeat it, Jasmine revels in his masterful rule. Her ravenous yearning evolves into rapture as she surrenders to his hunger, her darkest needs—and the emotional connection that lies beyond. Unless the curse takes her life first…

Warning: Tons of steamy sex, smoldering passion and a to-die-for love story with a hot Alpha hero who finds himself imprisoned by one sultry and desperate babe.

More info: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/the-yearning-p-6248.html   or check out your local B&N, Amazon, etc. to order. :)


Chance to win a copy of THE YEARNING at The Romance Reviews!!!

The Romance Reviews is hosting a Q&A at: http://www.theromancereviews.com/event.php

My question is #10:

Question #10 [ Points: 10 ] [ Points Multiplier: x2 ]


What is the name of Jasmine's youngest sister in The Yearning?


- contributed by Tina Donahue


a: Missy


b: Violet


c: Baby


d: Lily


Hint: Check out http://www.tinadonahue.com/

Remarks: Giveaway: The Yearning by Tina Donahue (ebook)



Here's another hint: The answer can be found at this link within the excerpt: http://www.tinadonahue.com/books/the-yearning/

Once you find the answer, just go to: http://www.theromancereviews.com/event.php   Scroll down to Question #10 and enter.  :)

Good luck!

Tina

What's Your Fav in Fantasy, Sci Fi and Paranormal?

Now that I've taken the plunge into writing paranormals with my first, The Yearning, a bestseller; and my next Unending Desire set to release in October, I wanted to reflect on the paranormal, scifi and fantasy stories I've loved.  Here's my list:

1. Dark City

OMG, this was such a unique and amazing film. Starring Rufus Sewell (what a hottie) it's unlike anything I've ever seen. Here's an abbreviated synopsis from Rotten Tomatoes: "Separated from his wife Emma (Jennifer Connelly), amnesiac John Murdoch (Rufus Sewell) awakens alone in a strange hotel to learn he is wanted for a series of brutal killings -- but he can't remember if he did or didn't commit these murders. Indeed, most of his memories have completely vanished, and he becomes the focus of interest for both mad genius Dr. Schreber (Kiefer Sutherland) and sympathetic detective Frank Bumstead (William Hurt). Attempting to unravel the twisted riddle of his identity, Murdoch encounters a group of ominous beings known as the Strangers, shadow-like figures who have a collective memory and possess the ability to stop time and alter physical reality through a process called The Tuning." 

2. The Matrix

Honestly, I can watch this movie again and again. Sure, Keanu Reeves has the acting ability of a post of wood, but for this story it works. For anyone who hasn't seen this (the one or two beings on earth who let it pass them by), this is about machines taking over Earth and using people as their fuel. God - that scene with Keanu in a pod hooked up to generators was frightening.

3. Gattaca

I cried at many parts of this exceptional movie. I felt Ethan Hawke's fear, frustration and longing for something better deep in my soul. This wasn't a blockbuster like The Matrix, but its story was so much deeper, so very human. I urge everyone who loves a good love story - an exceptionally crafted human story - to rent this film. Here's an abbreviated synopsis from Rotten Tomatoes: "this science fiction drama, set in a future when one's life is determined by genetic engineering rather than education or experience. The wealthy can choose the genetic makeup of their descendants. People are designed to fit into whatever role is decided before birth. But what happens when someone desires another way of life? Citizens in this impersonal future-world are fashioned as perfect specimens, so those in the natural-born minority are viewed as inferior to the pre-planned perfect specimens (aka "Valids") who dominate. One of the natural-borns (aka "In-Valids"), Vincent Freeman (Ethan Hawke), has several defects (poor vision, emotional problems, and short 30-year life expectancy), but he also develops a different outlook on his pre-ordained fate. He yearns to break free from society's constraints, and he dreams of a journey into space as a Gattaca Corp. navigator."

4. Jurassic Park

WOW - 'nuff said.  :)

5. Somewhere in Time

For the sheer romance,  this movie cannot be beat. It was lush, romantic and had me weeping like a baby during a good deal of it. The scene where Jane Seymour is crossing the lawn at the grand hotel and Christopher Reeve watched her stirred me in ways I hadn't imagined. The music was beautiful, the anticipation of them meeting exquisite. When she turned suddenly, looking at him, then said, "Is it you?" OMG, I just about died. There isn't a strong enough word to describe the romance in this movie. Simply breathtaking. Unfortunately, it wasn't a huge success. I found it on video years after it had come out. You really need to see this. Here's an abbreviated synopsis from Rotten Tomatoes: "A young playwright, Richard Collier (Reeve), is approached by an elderly woman on the occasion of his first triumph in 1972 -- all she says to him is "Come back to me" and leaves him with a watch that contains a picture of a ravishing young woman. Eight years later, he visits the Grand Hotel on Mackinac Island and comes upon a photograph of the same woman, whom he discovers was an actress who made an appearance at the hotel in 1912. He becomes obsessed with the image and what the woman -- who died the night she approached him in 1972 -- meant by what she said. In a manner somewhat reminiscent of the film Laura, he falls in love with her and her image as he learns more about her life and career. Then he comes upon the suggestion of a professor at his former college that time travel may, in fact, be possible, using an extreme form of self-hypnosis to free the person from the place they occupy in the time-stream. Collier's feelings for the woman are so strong that he succeeds, bringing himself back to the hotel in 1912 on the eve of her triumph. He meets the actress, Elise McKenna (Jane Seymour), and the two fall in love."

Rounding out the top ten are:

6. Bladerunner - amazing - A+++++
7. Terminator - loved it - A+++++
8. 2001 - A Space Odyssey - made me want to be an astronaut - no fooling - A++++++
9. Back to the Future - so cute and different - A++++++
10. Planet of the Apes - wow, what an ending - A+++++

You'll note I left off Star Wars. I do believe I'm the only person on Planet Earth who never liked any of those films. They just seemed too cartoony to me...no real depth to the characters.

So there's my list - do you agree? Disagree? Let's hear what you like best.  :)

Interview of Author and SNSD co-owner Tina Donahue

Welcome again to 20 Questions. Today, I have my SNSD partner and fellow author Tina Donahue in my sites. So, let's get going!

1.    Since you usually write straight contemporary novels, what made you decide to scribe a paranormal with The Yearning?

I’m always trying to challenge myself with my writing. I began in romance by writing romantic comedies for Zebra. Since I have an irreverent sense of humor (or so my friends tell me), I found those novels extremely easy to write. One of my editors suggested I try my hand at erotic romance, since my romantic comedies did have some pretty steamy scenes. So, I then moved into that. After reading the reviews of numerous paranormals, I thought the plots sounded so interesting that I’d try something like that for myself.

2.   As you were creating Mike, the hero, did you find it difficult to match his strength to that of Jasmine?  What were the characteristics you wanted to instill in him to make him a challenge for the heroine?

No, I had no difficulty matching his strength to Jasmine’s. Although she’s driven by lust because of the curse, in reality she’s always been shy and uncertain of herself around men. Before she was cursed, she wouldn’t have hoped an Alpha male like Mike would have even noticed her.

Even though Mike’s an Alpha male, he’s also a nice guy with tons of integrity and character. Because of his inherent honor, Jasmine struggled with the thought of imprisoning him. The part of her unaffected by the curse likes – then loves him – as the man he is. Strong, yet kind. Commanding but tender.

From the get-go Mike is a challenge for Jasmine – the best kind. J

3.   In the excerpt depicting their first kiss, Mike knows that Jasmine has chosen him from outside her ordinary world.  What is Jasmine’s “ordinary” world like?  Is it a place she wants to be or a place from which to escape?

With her sisters, Jasmine owns and operates a dress design business. Her sisters are involved in the artistic aspects (dress design/fabric, etc.), while Jasmine is the business manager. Before Desiree cursed her, Jasmine accepted her world for what it was…she wasn’t a babe, she wasn’t sexy, men didn’t find her particularly alluring. But once she meets Mike, once she falls in love with him, she fears what the end of the curse will mean. Will Mike find her attractive when he sees the real Jasmine – what she considers to be a plain Jane?

4.   You mentioned the element of danger in Jasmine choosing a man from an unaccustomed haunt.  What do you think are three things a woman should always keep in mind when choosing a strange man for a bed companion?

That’s impossible to answer. For myself, I wouldn’t choose a stranger. And if not for the curse, Jasmine wouldn’t have either. That’s what I wanted to convey in The Yearning, her conflict about choosing a man she doesn’t know, coupled with her growing attraction to him.

5.    What is your favorite line from The Yearning?

Whenever Mike says to Jasmine (especially at the end) “Tell me about you.”  He asked it in the beginning and she was afraid to tell him about the curse. At the end, after everything they’d been through, after he convinced her she is the type of woman he can love, he asks her again to tell him everything about herself. Very sweet. Tender.

6.   Will you write more paranormals in the future or is The Yearning going to be the only one?  In either case, why?

Oh yeah, I intend to keep writing paranormals, along with erotic contemporaries.

Why? ‘Cause I have to.  J  Writing is my life force. Without it, I wouldn’t exist. Just love it too much.

7.   The intensity that took place in your previous novel, In His Arms, both between the characters and in the subject matter was astounding.  Do you feel the same intensity comes across the pages of  The Yearning?  Explain what elements made different in this respect or the same.

In His Arms was unique given its subject matter. It’s impossible to compare it to The Yearning – like apples and oranges. However, The Yearning does have mainstream elements in it – particularly the guilt Mike feels over his partner’s death – a death he feels responsible for. And, both Jasmine and Mike feel as though they have never belonged – though in different ways. Jasmine never considered herself all that attractive to men. And Mike, because of his telekinetic gift (or curse, if you will) has always felt like an anomaly.  In The Yearning I explored what it’s like to be different…not to fit in.

8.   Is there a particular message you want to get across to the reader with The Yearning?

I hadn’t really thought about it, but if I did, it would be in reference to Desiree, the character who curses Jasmine. Desiree felt that Jasmine stole the man Desiree loved. (not true, btw) So Desiree takes out her anger on Jasmine. Too often women fight other women for a man. In my opinion, that’s counterproductive. A guy who cheats does so all on his own. No one puts a gun to his head. If the woman is mad at anyone, it should be the cheating guy.

9.   What genre have you not written that you would like to try? Why? 

Since I’ve written historical, contemporary, paranormal, erotic and romantic comedies, I’ve just about covered most of it. So for now, I think I’m good.  However, a romantic suspense may be in the offing someday. J

10. How much time do you allocate to writing each day?

I write for four hours before I begin my EDJ on the weekdays, and during those days I frequently come back to the work…so I would say 7-8 hours total. On the weekends, I just write until I finish the number of pages I’m set to finish (again, 7-8 hours).

11.  What other career would you choose other than writing?  Why?

I wouldn’t. If I couldn’t write, I’d die.

12. Is there an adventure you would like to have before die?  What is it?  What is it about this adventure that you think you would find so fulfilling?

I’d like to travel the world. I enjoy seeing new things and meeting new people.

13. Is there a place that you have never been that you would like to visit?  Where?  What attracts you to this place?

I’d like to go to Southern Spain – Andalucía. My first historical novel pubbed by Zebra took place there. During the research, I fell in love with the locale.

14. If this were a perfect world and time and money were no object, where would you like to write? 

In a villa in Spain – perhaps Granada, overlooking the sea.

15.  What is your favorite charity?  Why?

Planned Parenthood. I believe every child born should be wanted.

16. If you had the time and energy to spend, what would you like to volunteer to do?

Teach young woman to succeed. To believe in themselves.

17.  Do you prefer sunsets or sunrises?

I like both equally.

18. What is the greatest achievement you would like to make with your writing?

To move my readers to laughter, tears and sighs of delight.

19. What has been the happiest moment of your life?

Impossible to pinpoint…there have been many happy moments.

20. No interview would be complete without asking what is the one thing you feel an aspiring writer should know?  

Never give up. Never.


The Yearning is available tomorrow, February 1, from Samhain: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/the-yearning-p-6248.html

The Yearning - My First Paranormal Erotic Romance

On February 1, my very first paranormal erotic romance The Yearning will be released by Samhain Publishing. I'm very excited, and I must say that writing a paranormal after penning so many contemporary romances was quite a challenge. But well worth it!


Here's a blurb and an excerpt from The Yearning to give you a feel for what it's about. :)


Blurb:

To break this curse, they’ll have to turn the heat up. Way up.
Jasmine Dante prowls Key West’s nightlife, fighting a losing battle against a jealous rival’s curse that forces her to seek carnal pleasure, no matter the danger. Weakened from lack of sleep, driven by insatiable lust, she spots a man who stirs her desperate craving, and begins yet another dance of seduction.

Except the dark stranger who returns her direct stare is no ordinary lover. Inside his powerful body lies a raw sexuality that just might be enough to break her curse. There’s only one way to find out: imprison him in her bed and feed on his passion.

Former U.S. Marshal Mike Stearn is many things, but he’s no woman’s sex slave. The deadly telekinetic power he ruthlessly suppresses comes alive again at Jasmine’s touch. Beneath her bold, potent sensuality he senses vulnerability and desperation. He may be in handcuffs, but she’s the one who’s enslaved.

As Mike resurrects his power to free himself so he can find the curse’s source and defeat it, Jasmine revels in his masterful rule. Her ravenous yearning evolves into rapture as she surrenders to his hunger, her darkest needs—and the emotional connection that lies beyond. Unless the curse takes her life first…

EXCERPT:


(In this scene, Mike and Jasmine are in the alley just outside the club where they met. He's spotted her two sister and suspects something's up. Jasmine has to think fast in order to seduce him into coming home with her)

At the end of the alley, two young women huddled beneath the pool of yellow light from the gas lamp. They spoke in subdued voices he couldn’t possibly overhear. Were they the ones who’d sounded close to arguing? If so, why were they still hanging around this place and talking so low?

The one on the right appeared to be in her late twenties. She had light brown hair and a pallid complexion, which looked out of place in the sunny Keys. The other one, younger by a few years, was equally fair. She wore her hair very short, like a man, and had dyed it an impossible platinum blonde.

Neither appeared to notice him or Jasmine. In fact, they looked everywhere except this alley. Their presence didn’t feel right. As a former law enforcement officer, he thought it seemed downright staged. He glanced at Jasmine.

Anxiety pinched her features, so fuzzy with contentment a few moments ago.

He frowned. “Do you know those two?”

Her head snapped from them to him, her eyes widened in confusion. “What?”

“You heard me.”

At his abrupt tone, she stepped back and kept her voice low. “No.” Head bowed, she adjusted her halter top to make certain it covered her breasts. “I don’t know them.” She lifted her face and avoided his eyes. “Did they see us?”

“Not from way over there they didn’t.”

She nodded and turned away, arms hugging her middle.

He studied her narrow shoulders, the sleek expanse of her back revealed by her dress. Two small moles decorated her tawny skin, one on her right shoulder blade, the other on the graceful slope of her spine. On her second sigh, his shoulders slumped. What in the fuck was the matter with him? So what if two women decided to use this alley for their incessant chatter? Could be they were so deep in debate over whatever in the hell women talked about, they forgot to keep walking. Stranger things had happened. At least it hadn’t been a bunch of guys invading this space.

“Hey.” Hands resting on her firm biceps, he eased her into him, her back to his front.

With her plush ass blanketing his groin, he murmured, “I shouldn’t have snapped at you. I’m sorry.”

She turned in his arms. It took her a few seconds to lift her head and another to open her eyes.

Unexpectedly, a wave of tenderness hit hard. In her blue-green gaze, he saw guileless yearning. Beneath it, he sensed a wounded soul who needed his protection. How crazy was that for a man who’d failed his duty so miserably? Driven to redeem himself with her, he ran his hands down her buttery arms and used his softest voice. “Despite my acting like an SOB, does your invitation still stand?”

“Will you bring your tongue?”

Laughing, he hugged her until she squealed like a little girl. “Where do you live?”

With her head nestled on his shoulder, her breath warmed his neck. “A few blocks from here. We can walk.”

“We’ll take my bike. It’s right over there.”

She didn’t bother to look. Her hands returned to his ass. She resumed squeezing. “Whatever you say.”

Exactly what every man longed to hear.

He insisted she put on his helmet. “I want you safe.”

Completing a full circle around his Harley, a customized V-Rod Muscle, she ran her fingertips over the black leather seat. “What will you wear?”

“You.” He tossed her his helmet, which she thankfully caught, straddled his bike, and patted the space behind himself. “Hop on, put your arms around my middle and press the insides of your thighs against mine.”

She turned the helmet in her palms while staring at his legs. “Shouldn’t we wait to do that until we get to my place?”

Head down, he hid his smile and faked a growl. “Come on, woman. You’re making me wait.”

Warning: Tons of steamy sex, smoldering passion and a to-die-for love story with a hot Alpha hero who finds himself imprisoned by one sultry and desperate babe.


Buy Link:  http://samhainpublishing.com/coming/the-yearning